These proposals can be both at layer 1 or at above layers (ex: TARO on LN)
For example, I've seen people being strongly opposed to proposal such as covenants and drivechains. I'm don't have a stablished opinion on them, so I'd like to see others' opinions on the topics, be it positive or negative.
I'm starting to notice moderate tension on some bitcoin communities i participate in (twitter, telegram, youtube) regarding proposals to change bitcoin (those 2 topics, as well as other ones) and to extend it on above layers (ceticism regarding lightning network and liquid network, heavy critics to TARO protocol). After reading Blocksize War, it kinda felt that in 5-10 years we could have another "civil war"
I think we need a strong social layer of cautious bitcoiners that are able to resist code changes that promote hidden agendas and could possibly harm bitcoin in the long run. To do so, those with technical knowledge should openly debate the pros and cons of proposals to change/improve Bitcoin (be it at layer 1, be it at layer 2,3,...) so that lay people can be more informed to take decisions. The success of bitcoin ultimately depends not on the success of layer 1, but on the strength of layer 0, the social layer (bitcoiners, node operators, miners, developers, educators, end users, etc...)
The issue is mainly with the way things are handle... Sometimes it feels like kindergarten children who aren't sure who is right or wrong fighting over crayon.
They should handle things the way responsible adults in National assemblies handle things by introducing a set of Bitcoin Principles or Rules that are not to be violated whenever they are proposing ideas or building things on Bitcoin. There will be less conflict and more harmony if everyone is proposing ideas that are according to the set principles the Bitcoin system is based on. If everyone agrees that this is not about changing or deviating from the hard-coded rules Bitcoin is built on participants can then harmoniously build applications within the set boundaries.
And conflicts will drastically reduce if there is well defined rule every activity is based on. Whenever there is deviation from the rule, there will automatically be a uniting force (united by the rule) against it...